Ponting quits captaincy

RICKY Ponting is to step down as Australian cricket captain in Test and ODI cricket. Ponting has today announced he will continue to be available for selection in both forms of the game as a specialist batsman.

Ponting said: “I have resigned as captain of both the Test and One Day Australian teams. I will continue to play and am available for selection in both the one day and Test teams.

“I have thought long and hard about what Australian cricket needs. Now is the right time for the next captain to assume the responsibility for both the Test and One day teams. We have to be doing everything we can to win back the Ashes in 2013-14 and the World Cup in 2015. It is highly unlikely that I will be still playing so it is the right decision for Australian cricket that the next captain now be appointed. This will give him the opportunity to create his own direction and legacy.

“I’d like to thank all of my teammates who I had the pleasure of leading as captain of Australia. I have been extremely proud to walk on to cricket grounds all over the world and lead such an incredible list of Australian cricketers. Together we achieved some amazing results, enjoyed some great times and have shared success that is incomparable on the world cricketing stage.

“Today is a new start for me and I am very excited about the future. I will give my complete support to our new captain and continue to do my best to set the best possible example for my teammates and emerging cricketers alike.”

"Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," he said.

"His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain.

"Those close to the team know his true worth in guiding his players and setting a personal example of commensurate professionalism, particularly in recent years following the retirement of so many greats of the game," Mr Clarke said.

Mr Clarke said he looked forward to enjoying Ponting's continuing international cricket performance as a batsman.

Ricky Ponting became captain of Australia’s Test team in March 2004 and has captained Australia 77 times in Test cricket with a winning record of 62.33 %. He captained Australia to 48 wins, 16 losses and 13 draws.

Ricky Ponting’s 228 ODI’s as captain is the most ODI’s any individual has captained. His winning record of 76.38% is just a touch below that of West Indian Clive Lloyd (77%). He captained Australia to 164 wins 50 losses 12 no results and 2 ties. Ponting captained Australia to two ICC Cricket World Cups in 2003 and 2007 as well as two ICC Champions Trophies in 2006 and 2009.